Attacks on retail stores on the rise in Kerala

It was last Tuesday that AIYF activists took out a demonstration to Big Bazaar in Thiruvananthapuram, culminating in violence after the protestors pelted stones at the building complex. On Saturday evening, a group of unidentified assailants attacked Spencer’s supermarket at Chakkorathukulam, Kozhikode, and smashed windowpanes.

“The attack took place during the business hours at around 6.30 pm, when there was no power in the area. The group, comprising around 10 persons, emerged suddenly to unleash the attack with iron rods,” sources told Indiaretailing.

“All the 18 front windowpanes were smashed in no time and the attackers left before the police reached the spot. However, nobody was injured in the incident. Police recovered notices and posters against multinational companies left behind by the attackers at the spot,” the sources added.

Issued under the banner Democratic Youth Movement, supposed to be a fictitious organisation, the posters had slogans against MNCs that have entered into retail market and also against political parties that are supporting them.

The power supply got disrupted thrice before the attack took place. Police are checking whether the power cut was a handiwork of the attackers.

The police, however, ruled out the involvement of any political party behind the incident. It could be some traders’ outfit or some youth movements, they suspect.

Similar posters had appeared in several places in the city last week, it is learnt.